|
Author
|
Topic: Another darn overheating problem
|
gmliebau
Gearhead Posts: 691
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 08-10-2005 07:51 PM
 
Okay, this one has me stumped. I've been having overheating issues for the last month or so and I thought I had it fixed today. After picking up my daughter from school, the car was steaming and the 16lb cap actually popped off and was laying on the top of the radiator. I pulled out the radiator and backflushed it. I got a lot of rusty pebbles out of it. After flushing it for about 30 minutes, it was clear. The inside of the radiator looked perfect. I put everything back together, filled it, and fired it up. After a few moments, I saw the system burp itself, getting access air out. I put the cap on and let it idle. Heated right up. I shut it down before it started spewing fluid. I felt the radiator, after hearing from someone that the heat coming from the radiator should be equal all the way down the cores. In otherwords, if you touch the top of the cores, it should be as hot as the bottom of the cores. The radiator was completely cold to the touch except for the top housing. What the heck is going on?
|
gmliebau
Gearhead Posts: 691
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 08-10-2005 08:16 PM
Please wait on responding to this post. I neglected to check the fluid after the car heated up. The motor pulled the fluid from the radiator. I'll check it in the morning and keep everyone updated.This was one of those act before you think kind of situations.  [This message has been edited by gmliebau (edited 08-10-2005).]
|
Scott H
Gearhead Posts: 1480
From: Chicago area
Registered: Mar 2005
|
posted 08-10-2005 11:14 PM
Sorry, couldn't wait 
Hot motor and cold radiator might mean stuck thermostat.
|
gmliebau
Gearhead Posts: 691
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 08-10-2005 11:53 PM
I don't mind the responses. It could eliminate alot of other possibilities.The thermostat is brand new. It was running very hot prior to and after replacing it.
|
N266fords
Gearhead Posts: 1662
From: Sierra Vista ,Az USA
Registered: Apr 2003
|
posted 08-11-2005 01:32 AM
How old is the radiator? If its too old concider replacing it with a good 3 or 4 core unit. or alluminum one.
If you tank is hot but the rest of the radiator is cool then your tank or transfer tubes are plugged. replace it or have it rodded out if its new enough. other wise for the money just replace it.
I bought a 3 core moden radiator for $85.00
Hope this helps
Bruce
|
Mike W
Gearhead Posts: 135
From: CA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 08-11-2005 04:22 AM
Back flushing won't help to clear tubes that are plugged. You need to take it apart and rod it out. After around 120,000 miles my 65 had about 25% of the tubes plugged. I did an annual coolant change.
|
ddenton749
unregistered
|
posted 08-11-2005 08:57 AM
Sounds like there is little or no circulation to, or through, the radiator. T-Stat is the #1 culprit. Try running it without the T-Stat and see what happens. I don't recommend keeping it that way, but this will be a process of elimination.Next look at the radiator. Old engines tend to clog them up with rust and there is usually some kind of weird electrolitic action that goes on. I've been working on cars since I was 11, professionally for 5 years. Twice in my life I've seen water pumps go bad where the impeller just spins on the shaft. (Both were on GM's) It's very rare, and a PITA to take apart to check, but if all else fails... ------------------
'73 Convertible, 351C 2V
'91 LX Convertible 5.0
Member: Valley Forge Mustang Club
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."
My Site
|
gmliebau
Gearhead Posts: 691
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 08-18-2005 10:33 PM
Well, I took the radiator out and flushed it from every hole for about 30 minutes. She's clean now for sure! Still running got though. I should listen to you guys before I start experimenting on my own. So now, as recommended by everyone weeks ago, I'm going to check the thermostat.
|
Mike W
Gearhead Posts: 135
From: CA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 08-19-2005 02:42 AM
I have only had one thermostat stick closed and that was on a Datsun. Again if the radiator has some of the tubes plugged, the only cure is to rod it out.
|
